Things to do after Install Ubuntu 14.10 Utopic Unicorn

Finally Ubuntu 14.10 Utopic Unicorn has been released with many updated programs, packages, and features. Just like any operating system, after you install your Operating System, you can either use it out of the box or change and tweak a few things. In this post I will give you some tips and tricks for your freshly installed Ubuntu 14.10Utopic Unicorn to make the OS load the best experience and more like you like it. So let’s get started.

1. Update & Upgrade your Ubuntu

After Installing your Ubuntu and before start up everything, like install other applications and packages, you should update your Ubuntu. Run these commands to bring your system up to date :

$ sudo apt-get update

$ sudo apt-get upgrade

*Update will just update the repository and Upgrade will update just your applications and packages from the latest repository.

2. Install Additional Drivers

Some Hardware didn’t work properly or even didn’t work at all before you install the driver, As an example for the graphics card you can’t play 3D Games or watch high definition video, before you install the driver. Ubuntu make it easy to enable the latest Linux Graphics Drivers :

Open Software & Updates tool from the Unity Dash

Click Additional Drivers tab

Follow any on-screen prompts to check, install and apply changes.

3. Install Ubuntu Restricted Extras

For some new users, maybe it’s confusing when you want to listen to your music, there is no sound and you will be prompted to install some Third-Party Codecs, or you want to run a java file but java is not installed ?. To install those stuff at once, use this command :

$ sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras

This includes some Microsoft Web fonts, Adobe Flash plugin, and some commonly used media codecs.

4. Install Tweak Tools

Ubuntu has provided some tweak tool for customize your Ubuntu Desktop to your own liking, the tools are Gnome Tweak Tool and Unity Tweak Tool, so what is this Tweak tools ?

Gnome Tweak Tool is a powerful tweak tool for your Ubuntu Gnome Environment, with this tool you can manage and change your themes, fonts, icons, cursor and more.

Unity Tweak Tool is a configuration tool for Unity Desktop, its provide users to access configuration and features for your Unity Desktop with an easy to use interface.

To Install those tweak tools, use this following command :

$ sudo apt-get install gnome-tweak-tool unity-tweak-tool

After installing check your system settings for your tweak tools.

5. Personalize your Desktop

After installing some important packages, maybe you want to change the look and feel for your desktop. The first thing you do is change your desktop wallpaper, to change your desktop wallpaper, open your Appearance Settings, or by right clicking on the desktop and click Change Desktop Backgrounds.

On the Appearance Settings you can find settings to change to different themes, enable workspaces, desktop icons, and adjust launcher size and behavior. Next is open your Tweak tools and change everything you want from the tweak tools, and feel the new look for your desktop.

6. Install Synaptic Package Manager

Synaptic is a Package Management Tool, Synaptic provide a Graphical Package Management where you can install, remove, and upgrade, fix broken dependencies, search packages, and more with an easy to use interface. Synaptic based on GTK+ and APT. Install Synaptic by using this command :

$ sudo apt-get install synaptic

When installation is finished check your applications menu for Synaptic.

7. Install Java

Today Java a lot of programs required Java Installed, For example you want to run Minecraft, it’s required Java installed on your system before you can run it or maybe you want to compile some of your work ?, you need to install JDK. To install Java on your system, use this command :

$ sudo apt-get install icedtea-7-plugin openjdk-7-jre

After installation, open your terminal and check your Java by :

$ java -version

8. Install Steam for Games

Sometime we need some fun with some games and for who said GNU/Linux is not for Gaming is wrong, today you can play the latest Steam games from your GNU/Linux desktop, for example Play DOTA 2, Team Fortress, Half-Life, and Counter Strike. But remember before you can play any games you should install your 3D Graphics Card Driver first. To install Steam you can download it from it’s official websites. After downloading install Steam.deb with dpkg -i Steam.deb or by usingUbuntu Software Center and search Steam.

9. Install more Browsers

Ubuntu 14.10 Utopic Unicorn has Mozilla Firefox as Default Browser, but for me and maybe for some people don’t use just 1 browser. I like to use Google Chrome instead Firefox. There is many browsers out there that you can download and try for free (Example : Opera, Midori, Tor, Etc) , of course every browser has it’s own advantage and disadvantage. Choose what browser that suit to your needs.

Install Midori

Install Opera

10. Install Skype

Skype is a video chat and voice call application software, Skype is the 1st application for both video & audio calls, and messaging you can skip this section if you don’t need Skype to be installed on your system. To install Skype follow my instruction :

11. Install VLC Media Player

For me VLC is the most famous application for both run video and audio files in any format, so that’s why i always install VLC as my default video player. To install VLC, type this following command on your terminal :

$ sudo apt-get install vlc

Now check your Applications Menu.

12. Change your Default Apps to Your Faves

After Everything is setup, now change every default applications to your own faves, For example change your default browser to Google Chrome or Opera, change default video player to VLC, and change your default music player.

Now Everything is done, you can use your new Ubuntu 14.10 Utopic Unicorn, If you have some tips too, you can leave a comment, or just contact me via Contact Page. Thank You !